On Wednesday, hundreds of General Motors employees gathered outside the CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ont., urging the company to secure a new vehicle production line at the facility.
The workers, represented by Unifor Local 88, are seeking urgent clarity regarding their production future after last week’s news that the CAMI plant would no longer produce the Bright Drop electric delivery van.
A similar demonstration took place in Brampton while CBC London connected with protesters in Ingersoll.
Unifor announced that “Solidarity Actions” were planned at both the Brampton Assembly Plant and CAMI following Stellantis’s decision to shift its Jeep Compass program from Brampton to the U. S. and GM’s cancellation of the Bright Drop project at CAMI.
In Ingersoll, around 1,200 workers suddenly faced unemployment in an area where automotive jobs are vital to the economy.
GM stated that market demand and low sales influenced its decision but did not associate it with tariffs imposed in the United States.
Skeptical about management’s reasoning, many workers at Ingersoll’s rally-who have been promised six months’ pay-believe there’s a direct connection between U. S. political issues and GM’s choice to abandon a facility initially opened with great hope and public funding just four years ago.
“We were ready to take off running, but unfortunately, the new president was inaugurated and started talking tariffs right away,” 20-year CAMI employee Steven Pye said.
“Everybody was really liking the idea of what we were doing and saving money with their fleets, but not wanting to get tied into contracts that would be hit hard with tariffs down the road.”
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Steven Pye, who has worked at CAMI in Ingersoll for 20 years, participated in the rally outside the plant on Wednesday. (Andrew Lupton/ )
Ahead of these protests, GM released a statement from its Canadian president indicating efforts are underway to find a new purpose for CAMI. The company highlighted its long history of vehicle manufacturing in Ingersoll spanning over a century; this particular plant opened back in 1989.
“As CAMI Assembly is being assessed for future opportunities, GM’s focus is on supporting our people and working with our partners,” said Kristian Aquilina’s statement.
“These are complex discussions, and we need to invest time necessary for collaboration that will deliver better outcomes for our people, our communities and our customers.”
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Mario Difelice and Brooke Strub, who have worked for years at the CAMI plant, were among GM workers at the protest Wednesday. (Andrew Lupton/ )
GM has emphasized Canada’s importance within its North American operations while noting ongoing production efforts in Oshawa and St. Catharines as well as constructing a $600-million battery-materials facility in Bécancour, Que.
However, considering $500 million of public funds invested into retooling for Bright Drop operations there; federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly announced plans for a group including union representatives and Ontario officials aimed at pushing for new production lines at CAMI.
Joly also gave GM 15 days to outline next steps concerning employees; next Wednesday marks that deadline.
“Ultimately I want to see a new product here. We have proven time and time again that our vehicles are second to none. We deserve a new vehicle,” longtime CAMI employee Brooke Strub said.
“They need to bring another product in here,” echoed Maria Chinelli who came from GM’s Oshawa plant to protest. “This plant is here. The workers are ready to work on products. The workers don’t want to go. I don’t wanna be laid off.”
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Mike Van Boekel , president of Unifor Local 88 , expressed hope that government-imposed deadlines could lead GM toward revealing plans about CAMI Assembly’s future located in Ingersoll , Ont. ( Andrew Lupton / )
Mike Van Boekel , president of Unifor Local 88 , attended Tuesday ‘s rally stating he supports establishing deadlines which might compel GM into sharing visions regarding how they plan forward.
” I think it’s meant specifically holding their feet against pressure so they come up quickly with some kind of plan ,” he remarked. ” They ‘re expected now more than ever before – action needs taken immediately ; this can’t drag out six months without clarification.”
WATCH | GM’s president speaks on why CAMI had to close:<img src="https://ontariochronicle. ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1768200931_527_default. jpg" alt="" class="thumbnail" loading="lazy"/
GM Canada president explains decision ending electric van production Ingersoll , Ont. Hear CBC London’s full interview featuring Kristian Aquilina discussing reasons behind discontinuation relating directly towards local worker implications along associated shifts affecting auto manufacturing across provinces.
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Union hopes deadline brings answers
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